Chapter Eighteen
Najha knew right away when something happened to Lucien. His body dropped to the ground, and her mate was unable to move. His body seemed ice cold, and he didn’t appear to be breathing. She raced to Lucien, kneeling as she felt for a sign he remained with them. She looked up at her father, tears streaming down her face. “Oh, my God! Help him, he’s dying.”
Thorn and the others raced to her.
Vlad grabbed her arm and tried to pull her. “Najha, I need to protect you. Don’t go inside Lucien to help him, don’t do it.”
Najha yanked her arm away from the larger vampire. “Vlad, don’t fucking touch me. He’s my mate and I have to try to save him! Daddy, please, you have to do something.”
“Najha, come, we have to do this.” Thorn wrapped his strong arms around her and lifted her body only to move her next to Lucien and the two of them knelt. “Join with me,” he ordered.
Najha immediately listened and joined minds with her father. ‘Daddy, what do we have to do?’
‘Join hands with me then Lucien, now!’
She reached around Lucien’s body and laid her hands on top of his, still joined to the other’s head. It was nearly impossible with Lucien lying on his side on the ground, but his hands were still gripping the man on the ground. It was hard to maneuver her body to lie comfortably. When she felt her father’s hands cover her own, he held her tightly to his body helping withstand the shock of the hardness of the ground.
With the help of Aiden and Vlad, Najha felt as her body was lifted along with Lucien’s and they were all sitting up. The man who’d trapped Lucien inside was now sitting up as well. His human mind only a vessel now, for the pure evil entity had taken Lucien from them.
When she tried to enter into Lucien it was impossible, he’d literally put up so many walls, his defenses blocked them all out. ‘Dad, help me!’
‘Najha, this is Jayden. You and Thorn must join with the others. We have to use all of our strength, or we won’t be able to save Lucien!’
‘What the hell…’ Najha cried out.
Once she opened her mind to all the different people who were trying to help her, she felt a power so intense her entire body became a strong source of strength like none other. She knew her dad held her tightly, so she let her body relax into his arms. She moved into Lucien through his heart and soul. She found him, but he was nearly gone from the evil so vile, it tried to crawl into her quickly and trap her as well. She fought a battle of wills and slowly conquered its advance and wasn’t taken in. As she moved her way inside, she found Lucien’s spine, then fluid. She used the fluid as a way to travel up into his brain through a back door.
She heard Vlad whisper, “Go get your mate, now.”
She rushed into Lucien’s brain, concentrating harder this time, Najha pushed through a thick oily substance of evil flooding toward her mate. He was battling his own war of darkness and evil. ‘Lucien. You need to come to me. My light will save you. I will save you from your own blind darkness you’re fighting.’
‘I told you not to come to me. Najha, do you ever listen?’
‘Stop! Come to me, please?’ She begged him. There was no way she could leave him like he wanted.
He moved further away from her, he was trying to push her out.
‘Lucien? Please come to me.’
‘I’m not sure I’m strong enough.’
‘You’re worthy of my love, goodness, and strength. Come to me. I need you and only you.’ Najha continued to move slowly toward him. She couldn’t move fast because he would move further away from her. What was causing him to leave her? The evil inside her seemed to grow to massive heights. What was happening to both of them? She sent her mind out and opened to all the lycan and vampires who were fighting with her to save Lucien.
Lucien slowly moved toward her light. She knew her distress was causing him to fight harder for her. As he moved a little closer to her, he reached out for her to save him, then she knew when Vlad struck hard. He came in as a warrior like no other, powerful enough to pull both Najha and Lucien together toward the unknown. Taking the mind and memories of the human, it gave nothing for the small seed of evil that had been planted. Nothing to survive on, it released the grip it had on both Lucien and Najha.
The evil again struck and tried to capture Lucien, but he’d already gained strength from the massive amount of powerful magic. The good conquered the bad. Right before Najha grabbed ahold of Lucien to help him, something hit her and took her mind with it.
Vlad and Thorn both joined Lucien to try to pull Najha free from whatever was gripping her mind. The pain in her head nearly burst, and she couldn’t help them while the gripping evil was taking her with it.
Vlad then destroyed the last little bit of memory the man had.
She was trapped and had no idea how to get away from it. Suddenly, Najha was released, and Lucien grabbed her as if running they both raced away from whatever had them. She tried to gain her strength, but she had nothing left. Sagging against the chest of her father, Najha passed out.
*****
Lucien fell against a solid wall of body. His back pressed against what he thought could only be Najha. He tried to open his eyes but couldn’t, he was so weak. He heard Thorn’s deep voice. “Vlad, you grab Lucien, I got Najha. Move it.”
What the hell happened? He remembered getting caught by the Bolnav who’d taken control of the man’s mind. He couldn’t escape until Najha had come in after him. Many others were helping her. But she’d gotten pulled away from him. Did she make it?
He couldn’t believe how powerful that thing was. He tried once again to open his eyes. The pain in his head had become so severe, it felt like his head was being crushed in a vice.
He was being carried by a large being. He peered through the slits in his eyes up at a tall bearded person. “Vlad,” he whispered.
“Dumb, son-of-a-bitch,” he mumbled. “You almost got her and yourself killed.”
When they were set down, Lucien was up against a tree, and Najha was laid next to him, her head on his lap. He looked down at his mate, she was passed out. He glanced up to four angry men. He was struggling to breathe as he spoke, “I saw that thing.”
“You, stupid son-of―” Thorn couldn’t finish, he looked upset. He rubbed his large hand across Lucien’s thick black hair then stalked away.
Lucien glanced down and found Najha staring up at him. “Hey, baby doll.”
“Why do you always call me something other than my name?” Her voice was raspy.
“I don’t know. Maybe because I love you.” He grinned. Slowly gaining his strength back, he felt thankful for the vampires standing near him, lending their own strength to him.
Kaden knelt and gave him his wrist. “Take what I offer, please.”
Lucien knew he needed the warrior’s strong blood. Did he dare take it in front of Najha or would it freak her the fuck out? He wasn’t sure.
She reached up and touched his cheek. “Feed, love, I know you need the strength.”
He reached over, took Kaden’s wrist, and put it to his extended canines. He drank only what he needed to give him strength. They still had a long night ahead of them. While in those minds, he saw where Myra hung in silver handcuffs between two silver chains. There was no way for her to escape on her own.
After he finished, he licked the wrist and sealed the puncture wound, leaving no evidence. “Thank you, brother.” He then gazed down at Najha.
She smiled. “You had me worried.”
“I told you not to come in after me,” he gently scolded her. Not mad at her, only worried.
Taraji and Layla came into the small camp and walked over to them. “Can I examine her, Lucien?”
He nodded.
Najha peered up at the women. “No, I need Lucien now, not you.” She sat up slowly and leaned against him. “I need to learn to do that.” She pointed to Kaden.
Lucien understood but why would she need to feed that way?
Taraji nodded and knelt next to her. “Najha, you must learn to feed once your body is converted to match your mate’s. Until then, I need to help you with the headache you’re suffering with. We need to rescue your mom, and you’re in no shape to do that.”
“You’re right, I’m sorry.”
Layla and Taraji both laid their hands upon Najha.
Lucien was amazed at how efficiently and quickly they started to heal his mate. The lycan were powerful beings, and they were self-sufficient to their people. These two women were beautiful but more powerful than even the vampire’s healer, Cordelia.
After they finished with Najha, she could stand on her own two feet and reached down for Lucien to take her hand.
He stood up getting the full effect of Kaden’s powerful warrior blood running through his veins.
“Lucien, move your ass we must go get my mom.”
She was a bossy little thing. It must be the reason he loved her enough he would risk dying for her. He nodded then turned to the people who’d joined them. It seemed the entire search party had come to help. “Thank you for helping us tonight. I have seen where they have Myra. These men were too far gone to save.”
Cade stepped forward. “I need all of you to continue your hunt for my mate, my wife before it is too late for her too. I will deal with the FBI and law enforcement who are now on their way to deal with these men. Thank you all for helping save my daughter, Najha, and her mate, Lucien. Now, all of you go.” Cade rushed them out of there.
Lucien and Najha joined their horses who were waiting at the edge of the small camp.
Lena nudged Najha.
Opie whinnied at him. ‘Don’t scare me like that again, Lucien.’
Lucien deserved the horse’s displeasure with him. He gave the animal a nod and a rub on his solid neck. When Opie nudged him, Lucien grabbed a thick handful of mane and pulled himself up on the giant beast. “Najha, are you okay to ride?”
She nodded and smiled. “Of course. You know…you worry way too much.”
“I know. Can you forgive an old man?” He winked.
Najha chuckled. Giving Lena a gentle kick, she spurred her horse into a trot, then to a gallop. Her wolves led them into the forest and took them on an uncharted path through thick underbrush the horses easily stomped through.
“Where are we going?” he asked.
Najha turned her head to glance back at him. “We are going to the entrance to the mountain, a few miles over that ridge.” She pointed to the tallest part of the Cascades.
He knew of it. Devil’s Peak was a place no soul dared to go. It was where he saw her mother. It was said once you get there, you’d never be seen again. Something evil lived inside that mountain, and he’d always assumed it was an old wives’ tale or myth spread by the humans. No, it had always been an accent evil Bolnav or rogue. It had to be. Something that killed both his parents had to be strong.
After a few miles of riding, Lucien asked her, “Why did you come after me, Najha?”
“Because I love you. You’re my mate. If you don’t live, neither shall I.” She was matter of fact with her answers.
He’d always liked this about the simple woman she really was.
“I’m sorry, Lucien.”
“For?” he asked. Confused by her sudden apology.
“I should’ve known that nasty thing had taken over.”
“How could you have known that?” Lucien demanded. He hated the fact she blamed herself for something he shouldn’t have let happen in the first place.
“I should have checked first. I dove right in to save you.”
“You had your father and the others help. They wouldn’t have told you to come in after me if they didn’t have faith in your ability to save me, Najha. Why are you so hard on yourself?”
“Because I’m young. My father says I always react before thinking about it.” She lowered her eyes and gazed at the ground with Lena carrying her ahead of him and Opie.
“Najha, hold up.”
Lena automatically halted when Opie stopped.
Lucien gently pushed his horse up next to hers. The wolves stopped and laid down waiting for them. He liked she had them and they were loyal to only her. They could keep her safe when he wasn’t around. He reached out and touched the side of her face. “Najha, I’m an ancient vampire, more powerful than even your father with my mind. You will grow and develop with time. If that thing were able to trick me, it would have killed you.” Lucien grew angry with himself for putting her in such danger.
“Lucien, what will happen if we confirm this is a mixed breed as you are suspecting?”
He wondered how she knew he had started to suspect this evil entity was a mix between a lycan rogue and vampire. He hadn’t thought about it too deeply because he didn’t want to admit it even to himself. “We’ll kill them. They’re turned. This will not happen to us. I promise.” He leaned in and kissed her.
After they separated, her eyes were wet with moisture, and she frowned. “How can we know that? You need to feed from me, your mate. What will my lycan blood do to you over time?”
“The same as it has. I grow stronger. I can stay out later in the morning sun. Maybe able to live and enjoy my first sunrise with you, love.” He kissed her again—this time more thoroughly. He loved her sweet flavor, it was like an addicting wine. Najha was his drug. He could never let her go.
“What do you mean?” she asked, looking a little dazed after he released her lips.
He stared at her full just kissed lips. He wanted her to look like this more often. “Remember when I took your blood at Jonas’ party?”
Najha shook her head. “No, I don’t remember that.” She seemed confused.
Had he taken it without her knowledge? He didn’t think so. “Stop, love. That busy brain of yours thinks too much. Thorn and I will work through all this. Your blood only made me strong. My wolf is pleased with yours. We won’t turn to something evil, I promise.”
“How can you promise this?”
“I drank lycan blood, am I turned?”
Najha gazed into his eyes then shook her head. “No, but—”
He put his finger over her beautiful full red lips. “Shhh…” Lucien gently joined with her mind. He showed her his true self. Strength, love, joy, and honor were the only things he was made up of, with no evil to be found and no darkness at all.
*****
Najha kept beating herself up something terrible as they rode. She’d been so worried about Lucien when he’d disappeared from her.
Now though, the evil being inside that man couldn’t be found in her mate’s memories or thoughts. Happiness surrounded her, joy and elation mixed together with a love so great, Najha wanted it to never leave. “I guess you survived.” She grinned and grabbed his cheeks. Leaning over from her horse, she kissed him. She enjoyed his lips and the way he tasted for a minute more before she pulled away. “Are you sure we’re okay, Lucien?” Concern for his health and wellbeing controlled her thoughts.
He didn’t answer right away, he just stared at her as if he were deep in thought.
She straightened up on her horse and gently touched her sides. “Lena, let’s go.”
They started to walk forward when Lucien finally answered her, “I’m sorry, I became lost in the beauty of you, my love. I am okay. I have been thinking of a plan. Once we find your mother, I want you to take her and run. Don’t look back, baby. Get her to safety and don’t worry about me.”
She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. When she turned around to glare at him, his smile only stopped her. There was no way she was going to leave him with that monster. No, she would call in everybody to help end the thing’s life.
Up ahead of them were the rest of the horses and riders.
Red turned back to look at her.
Najha nodded her head.
Red then turned as he and the pack left her.
She walked Lena to the others.
Vlad came up to them. Najha wasn’t used to the vampires treating her as gently as they had tonight. He’d been there for them, even when he’d thought Lucien was lost to them. “Vlad, thank you for your help earlier.”
“I’m glad you both survived, Najha. We can’t afford to lose Lucien’s mate now that he has found you. Please forgive any of us who doubted a lycan would make a good mate. You’ve proven to everyone your love is pure for our leader.”
Lucien frowned. “There’s still the law issue we have to deal with, but for now, I’ll enjoy her as I can.”
Najha glared at him.
Lucien shrugged his wide shoulders. “Truly, my love, you do not understand. That’s the longest speech I’ve ever heard Vlad give. And I don’t think he’s ever complimented anyone before in four hundred years.”
The older vampire gave a loud snort, then kicked his massive horse in the ribs, and the horse reared back and slammed his hooves to the ground nearly missing Opie who’d blown a loud scream in challenge to the other stallion.
Both men laughed but separated, and each patted their horse. “Well, it’s been settled then. These horses are mad at their riders,” Lucien spoke loudly for Najha to hear.
Cade joined them. “Lucien? You okay? I’m deeply sorry for putting you in danger like that with those men. I didn’t even realize that thing had taken possession of their minds back at that bus.”
“Up until tonight, I always thought you were human, Cade. What does it matter, since I should have known as well? These monsters are dangerous, smart, and powerful. Have you been contacted by Myra?”
“Yes, she’s alive but very weak. They’re holding her in chains made out of silver. She can’t escape. If any lycan goes in and tries to help her, they will be rendered useless by the amount of silver they have in that cave.” Cade had more information than even Najha had.
Lucien nodded at this news. “Yes, I saw this while trapped in that mind of evil.”
Now, she knew she couldn’t go ahead and risk herself. Dammit, she should have thought of this consequence before. She would have to have Lucien in harm’s way, she couldn’t battle with silver. She needed him to go with her.
Cade though upset smiled gently. “I still have trouble believing we were able to keep you in the dark about us being lycan with a gypsy spell.” He looked into Lucien’s eyes. “No offense to you. It’s just often too much for me, as I was human for most of my life.”
Najha stepped forward. “My grandmother was human on my mom’s side. She was a gypsy descendant and very powerful. She met my grandfather, a lycan who claimed her. When my Nana found she was pregnant, she hadn’t allowed my grandfather to convert her in fear of harming the baby. She remained a human until after the baby was born then he converted her.”
“What a great sacrifice your grandmother has done for your mother.” Lucien touched her face. “My mother too was of gypsy blood. She had a great gift of healing and magic as well.” He smiled gently.
“I know that. Your mom was one of my mother’s best friends. She told me she was devastated by her death. She never once betrayed my mom or me and told anyone the secret of Thorn being my father. It was my mom’s human blood that kept her alive during the difficult birth that killed most lycan during a birthing. She, too, was kept hidden until her father could find her a mate. When Thorn came to them and asked her to have a baby for him, they readily accepted. When she found Cade, it was the first time she showed her face around here. It was then she could leave and live a normal life as a human to protect me.” Najha knew her mother had a tough life because of having a child by Thorn. “If she had a boy, it would have been different for her.” She sighed. “I just want my mom back.”
Cade nodded. He turned to Lucien. “I’d like to send Najha and her wolves out to track the exact area they took Myra into the mountain. Without that, we’ll never find her.”
“No way. She doesn’t go unless I do.” Lucien put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her to his body.
“I hated the fact my father always ordered me around. Never letting me play with kids my own age or go outside the house when someone would chance along and find me. It was terrible. Now, I have you too?” She frowned.
“Your mother and father only wanted to keep you safe. Females are a rarity to us, and we need to keep the children guarded. I need you, Najha, and I can’t allow you to go off by yourself, especially if there’s a chance of you being hurt. I need you too much for that.”
She understood what Lucien was trying to explain to her, but she didn’t have to like it.
“If you’d like, after all this is over with, I’d like you to meet some of our unmarried young females. You’ve already met Camilla and Cordelia.”
“Are they both the same age as the chick you brought with you to Jonas’ party?”
He nodded. “Yes, that was a first for Camilla. I was hoping to find her a mate before she reached full grown. We have not found one for her yet. I believe if we were to try to change the law maybe more of my people would find their mates among the other species.”
“I see; we don’t have it nearly as bad. I could live as a human. Cade and Mom made sure of it. Thorn hated the fact I wanted to work as a human in Ruby’s café.”
Lucien laughed. “Oh, I bet he did.”
“The PTA was interesting for your mom when she went into town to act human.” Thorn smiled as he walked up to the small group. “Okay, we’re ready now. Our trackers have returned. They found the entrance to the mountain. It was sealed off with a protection spell. Najha, I think you’ll find this very interesting. Come along.” Thorn expected them to follow.
Najha felt Lucien’s hand vibrating in hers when she gripped it to follow Thorn. She looked at him and found him smiling. He was having fun with all this. The man was crazy. “What are you smiling about?”
“I love a good hunt. Let’s go kill some bad guys.” He pulled her with him to follow Thorn.